Dodgers Outright Casey Fien

The Dodgers have outrighted reliever Casey Fien to Triple-A Oklahoma City after designating him for assignment over the weekend in order to clear room for the returning Andre Ethier, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group (on Twitter).

The Dodgers claimed Fien and the remainder of his $2.275MM salary from the Twins back in early May and ultimately received 25 1/3 innings of 4.21 ERA ball out of the 32-year-old. Fien never established himself with the Tigers, who originally drafted him in 2006, but he broke out as a solid setup piece for the Twins in 2012. Fien went on to post a 3.54 ERA in 223 2/3 innings for the Twins from 2012-15, but his strikeout rate plummeted in 2015 and he struggled greatly this season before Minnesota designated him. While his ERA improved with the Dodgers, Fien allowed a stunning eight homers in his short time with L.A., plus another five in his 13 1/3 innings with the Twins. All told, he’s served up 13 long balls in just 39 1/3 innings of work this season en route to a collective 5.49 ERA, although his 8.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 are at least somewhat encouraging.

Oklahoma City’s season is still alive in the Pacific Coast League playoffs, so Fien can continue pitching in the Triple-A postseason. However, if he’s not added back to the 40-man roster, he’ll be eligible to elect free agency at season’s end.

I am sure the FO would have liked to keep Casey for specific match-ups in the 6-7 innings over the next 2.5 weeks. He may still be recalled as Steve alludes. Like many guys no longer on the roster, Casey contributed to the team’s success. The man can still hit 95-96 and will find a place somewhere–I feel confidant of that.

The problem is that the LAD have a very deep 40 man roster. This move illustrates the point Dave Cameron made on August 26 in his Fangraphs article analyzing the inclusion of AJ in the Ruiz deal. With guys like Ethier, Wood, McCarthy as likely activations (not to mention Kazmir and Anderson at the time seemed like possibilities to return), they just don’t have the ability to hide veteran guys w/out options that are on the bubble.